On August 20th 2025, North Korea’s top leader Kim Jong Un met in his office with the “main commanders of the Korean People’s Army overseas combat unit who returned home to attend the national award ceremony.” As North Korean media released more information about these North Korean troops in Kursk who fought alongside Russia, the once mysterious force has gradually become better known.
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North Korean troops in Kursk: Footage Revelation
In the evening of August 20th 2025, Pyongyang’s April 25 House of Culture hosted a commemorative performance to honour the unit’s role in the Battle of Kursk. During the event, the organisers read out a handwritten letter from Kim Jong Un to the North Korean troops in Kursk. They also showed footage of the troops in combat, scenes from their daily lives, and stories about some of the martyrs who had fallen.
According to North Korean media, Kim Jong Un said that the combat record of this “overseas unit” amazed him even before the rest of the world took notice. He stressed that the entire unit – military commanders, political officers, army doctors, interpreters and support staff – fought on the front line. Unlike the old tradition of “eighteen-year-olds blocking gunfire,” many officers in their thirties and forties stepped forward in the same way. Some soldiers carried out suicide attacks that left no remains. Others shielded their commanders with their own bodies.
The climax of the 20 August performance came with a video presentation called “The Motherland Will Remember the Brave Warriors’ Great Achievements.” It included extensive footage of the North Korean troops in Kursk, scenes of martyrs’ remains returning home, and accounts of individual acts of bravery that shocked the audience.
North Korean troops in Kursk: Representative Martyrs
Ro Nam Sok, 41, Workers’ Party member
After enemy machine-gun fire broke up a North Korean assault, he charged the gun position with grenades in his hands. Struck sixteen times in his torso and legs as he closed in, he held on until he blew himself up with the enemy, dying in battle.
Kim Chol Gi, 38, Workers’ Party member
An enemy drone attack tore off one of his arms, yet he stayed on the front line and kept fighting. He blocked enemy bullets with his body to protect his comrades and fell in combat.
Jo Hyok Chol, 35, Workers’ Party member
A shell blast took one of his legs, but he crawled through the trench for six hours to rescue the wounded. In the end, he unwrapped his own tourniquet to bandage another soldier, and died there.
Kim Hak Chol, 32, Workers’ Party member
Brought down by a drone strike, he shouted to comrades rushing to help: “Complete the squadron’s mission!” He then turned his rifle on himself and ended his life.
Kim Gyong Il, 31, Workers’ Party member
A machine-gun burst shattered the hand holding his grenade. He picked it up with his left hand, hurled himself onto the gun position, and died in the blast.
Ham Jong Hyon, 31, Workers’ Party member
In a raid under enemy drone attack, he shielded comrades with his body and rescued fifteen wounded men. He was killed in the effort.
Ri Gwang Un, 22, Youth League member
Wounded in battle, he tried to blow himself up with a grenade when comrades sent to rescue him were gunned down. The blast only took his left arm, so he pressed another grenade to his head and carried out the suicide attack.
Rim Hong Nam, 20, Youth League member
Given the task of clearing a path, he rushed into a minefield when the attack time drew near. He used his own body to open the way and was killed.
Yun Jong Hyok, 20, Youth League member and Wu Ui Hyok, 19, Youth League member
Both were badly wounded while recovering fallen comrades’ bodies. Surrounded by enemy forces, they embraced each other, pulled the pins on their grenades, and blew themselves up.
Pak Chung Guk, 18, Youth League member
Wounded in the arms and legs, he saw the comrades coming to save him cut down by enemy fire. Shouting “Don’t come closer!” he detonated his grenade and died.
Captain Jo Chol Won and his 11-man squad
After repelling six counterattacks, they were all badly wounded and out of ammunition. Over the radio, he called in artillery fire and gave his last salute: “May the great Motherland prosper forever!” Then the whole squad blew themselves up together.
Conclusion
The North Korean troops in Kursk fully reflects the North Korean style of warfare. Since confirmation in late April that North Korean troops in Kursk had taken part in the fighting, plans have already been made in Pyongyang to build a monument and memorial hall for the Kursk battle.
In the future, travellers with YPT’s North Korea tours may well have the chance to visit this new site about the North Korean troops in Kursk once it is completed.
Click to read more about YPT’s North Korea tours and Russia tours.
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